Negotiating an Off-Market Deal

[Alyssa Davis]

For those who have bought directly from the owner, what are some favorable terms you've included when creating an offer? So far I'm looking at junk removal (owner uses some of the rooms and garage as storage), flexibility on selling timeline so owner can do a 1031, potential covering some realtor or closing costs, etc.

This would be my first house (I'm currently renting the house that I'm trying to buy) --looking for those who have had experience creating an attractive deal in a very competitive market (Northern CA where houses can sometimes sell for 20-40k over asking) so I don't have much leverage if she just decides to put it on the MLS.

[Todd Rasmussen]

@Alyssa Davis

Buying direct is saving them more money than it's saving you. 1031 is potentially saving them 10's of thousands of dollars on top of that. You are doing them as much if not more of a favor. It sounds look you're negotiating against yourself right now. Open the dialogue and don't talk about specifics. "Let's take the contract to the title company ourselves and you don't have to pay a realtor." could be enough by itself!